I want to share about a recent watercolor I completed. It is a piece that came out of a prompt from Fellowship Bible church ministry of Spectra. The opportunity was given to whomever wanted to create a piece of art telling your story / your faith. I was nervously excited to participate. Brene Brown says it is a good thing to be vulnerable and what better way for me as an artist to share in my language of art. So here is where I went with it…

I follow an uber talented artist, Kathleen Giles . Her work excites me. She paints in watercolors and her work of people is stunning. I want to paint like her. The shadows, the light and dark contrast in her paintings are brilliant and illuminating. So I used this Spectra challenge to practice painting like Kathleen. I used these images of hers as a map to follow.

My story my faith journey is about not feeling enough and looking to the world’s standards for validation. Then slowly learning (still in the process) of exchanging the world’s standard with God’s standard for me. Accepting that I am already enough without “doing”, “earning” or “striving”. He made me perfectly imperfect. Just as he wanted me, born already enough. Psalm 139

It is a bumpy acceptance because of the enemy’s voice in my head that keeps interrupting God’s voice.My journey is ongoing, forgetting and then remembering to ask for His guidance and strength to step around the enemy who is always trying to trip me up.

My life since giving Christ Lordship of my life has been God revealing to me, his best for me.When I invite him into my struggles and joys he gives me this inner peace and direction that always leads to love.Love for myself and love for others.On my own I resort to selfishness.The closer I draw near to him the more I recognize his voice.Holy Spirit helps me differentiate the voices in my head and put off the enemy’s taunts and lies.

My journey is ongoing, imperfectly perfect. I am enough.

So back to my art piece connecting the story of my faith with my painting. My daughter Brooke has a tattoo on her arm that says “You Are Enough” in hebrew. To remind her and others she comes across, just that! In Him, Christ, You Are Enough. I knew I wanted to paint her and her tattoo to help tell my story. I wanted it to be a painting that matched Kathleen Giles style. I began taking photos of her trying to capture a good reference of light and shadow. I wanted the tattoo to be highlighted but also a natural pose. It is hard to pose someone and have it not looked posed… here are a few that I took:

then my husband Joe took this candid picture of Brooke on her way to OBU for the new school year. I loved it for the reference I was looking for. Her tattoo showing and the dance of light and shadow. So this picture became my reference photo to create a watercolor telling my story, my faith.

Here is my set up. My painting in progress, with the magazine and article on Kathleen Giles process next to me to refer to. My ipad with the color photo of Brooke to be able to zoom in on details. And the black and white photo copy I used to trace her onto my watercolor paper with chaco paper.

Here is a progression of the painting:

then, the completed painting! This was so fun to paint and be able to connect it to the telling of my story, my faith.

When I am tracing an image onto my watercolor paper. The tool I use over the top of my paper image is a stylus. This exact one I really like. The tip is small enough that the traced line isn’t too thick. You can order it here

I want to share something I have discovered to be really helpful for applying masking fluid to my watercolor paper to retain whites. These shapers are perfect for those especially small details you re trying to save white. Like the white fleck of reflection in the pupil of an eye. Tiny wisps of hair to be saved white or painted later in a light color. Or I often use it for small fence posts, muttons on windows or spattering the masking fluid. Another tip to note is that it is important to use masking fluid that has not begun to get thick. Here is a link to Jerry’s Artarama art supplies as a place to purchase these shapers

The most important tool is excellent quality paper. Do not use student grade paper even though you are a student! The paper does not react well with watercolor techniques which can lead to frustration, not typical results and poor habits in technique. You are not doing yourself any favors by buying student grade paper!

Please use “Arches” brand watercolor paper. My most commonly used weight is 140# cold press. It comes in a 90# and a 300# as well. The hot press is smooth. I prefer the bit of texture/tooth in the cold press. They also make a rough texture which is even more tooth. Along with this paper I like to use “Cheap Joe’s” , goof proof, watercolor notecard sets for creating notecards. By the way Cheap Joe’s online store is a fantastic economical place to buy art supplies. They also have learning videos and tips on their resources link on their site.

Next up is paint. For starters, use the “prang” double set. I do not recommend using the white or the back that are in the set though. I have much more to say about paint and if your wanting more details go “here” for much more details about paint.

Paintbrushes. Use any brush that is recommended for use with watercolors. Synthetic, natural hair or a blend is fine. I like a large round (12) and a more detail round (6 or 8) and then a flat brush in 1/2″ and 1″ A few other helpful brushes to have on hand to lift our some “mistakes” are a set of scrubber brushes. (try to use these as a last resort as they can tear up your paper)

Blue Chaco transfer paper is a tool I have discovered for watercolor painting. It is a tracing paper that leaves a blue line that disappears when it becomes wet. This is ideal when I don’t want to leave a visable “outline” to my painting. I have this a supply to bring to some of my classes. I especially use it when I am aiming for correct perspective or likeness to my reference photo. Give it a try and let me know what you think. You can find it at our local art supply store, The Art Location located at 1905 E. Mission Blvd. in Fayetteville Ar. or you can order it online through a google search.

Our new church campus opened up in Fayetteville about three weeks ago. Our church has an art ministry called “Spectra”. Here is our mission. Our latest gallery initiative for this new location was under the theme of Impressions and Expressions of Fayetteville, Ar.

I entered two of my paintings with this response,

I have been a part of the Fayetteville Farmers Market for ten years, as an artist vendor. This is such a rich gathering place where community is built between the growers, farmers, artists, and craftsmen with each other and with the customer. It is such a wide variety of ages, socioeconomic status, and nationalities. These folks walk separate and different paths through the week then come together here, in this invigorating “hang out” on the square. The surroundings of old buildings, fun shops, gorgeous landscaping are so aesthetically pleasing. Right in the heart of Fayetteville the fragrance of fresh flowers, newly picked vegetables, fruits with the occasional scent of rich coffee and homemade goodies fills the air. The streets slowly fill up for a gathering place, a weekly connection for all involved, both vendor to vendor and customer to customer. Hugs and handshakes are exchanged. This is truly a slow paced, happy place and time in our cities week of hustle and bustle.

These two paintings of mine are visual reminders to express my joy of this wonderful place. First the sunflower painting represents my favorite time of year at the market when the these magnificent beauties scape the streets, spilling out of barrels and buckets waiting to be purchased to adorn someones home. The second painting is of a little girl leaning in to smell a flower from our corner vendor, Dripping Springs. Dripping Springs has been the prized boardwalk location on saturday mornings. Their booth consistently provides happy helpers eager to serve our community with their farm fresh food and flowers. As is the reputation of all our hard working vendors. I am grateful to be a small part of belonging to this beautiful, colorful, creative slice of life in our community of Fayetteville.

-Beth Woessner

Ephesians 2: 19-22; The Message

…You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.

Top painting: Catching the Fragrance

“Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.” .-Helen Keller Original Watercolor

Curvaceous

original watercolor framed $200

Art always has a story behind it. I was graciously excepted into the 13 woman art show in Bentonville. Here is what this show is about: Great ideas are contagious.
They always seem to spill over and spark others to begin thinking in a bigger and broader way… and that ignites more ideas. Ideas are a powerful thing.
We have Geena Davis and the Bentonville Film Festival to thank as the idea catalysts for the WomanMade:NWA show. During the 2015 inaugural festival, I heard Ms Davis speak about the festival’s initiatives of bringing the work of women and minority lmmakers to the forefront so their unique perspective and voice could be shared.
The commentary sparked a personal connection with me. As an artist myself, I know that creative work is shaped by the lens that we each look through. I began thinking about my own point-of-view as an artist and the in uence of being a woman in my own art practice. I also wondered about other creative women – what was in influencing their creative work and what were they thinking about?
Knowing Northwest Arkansas is rich with creative talent, the idea formed to gather a diverse group of local creative women for an exhibition where they could share their work, story, and influences.
We asked the artists to submit a piece that represented their “signature” creative work or, optionally, explore a topic, symbol, or idea that comes from a uniquely female perspective. In the show, you will see both approaches.
Expanding the borders of a traditional art show and the definition of an
“artist” was an important element in the show as well. In the show our “artists” span the disciplines of ne art painting, fashion design, glassmaking, writing, sculpture, photography, and performance.
It has been such an honor to be part of a community that is growing artistically and expanding in its creative boundaries. Many thanks to the women in the show who are sharing their work, to Story Gallery for embracing the show concept, and to Ms Davis and the Bentonville Film Festival for their vision in bringing an expansive point-of-view
to our region.
–Heidi Carlsen-Rogers

Here is the “story” with my piece, an original watercolor of two pears and an apple. In my curvaceous series, “The Women We Love”, I celebrate women, their unique beauty inside and out while honoring their colorful personalities with my bright and happy colors. Bringing to mind those women in our lives who have helped “shape” us into the people we are today. This piece is one of the beginning paintings from this series which began for me in 2010.

As women our bodies are often compared to apples or pears, which is the subjects in this series. Women often get too caught up in their outer appearance and its “flaws”, wishing they were taller, shorter, thinner, more curves, less curves,..on and on. Our thinking can steal our gratitude, confidence and mindfulness to be present with those in our midst. I want to help remind us women to recall those women we love and adore. Of course we do not hold them in high esteem because of their looks! It is their loving hearts and generous souls that they have graciously shared with us. So in honor of observing and embracing ourselves as we are, this series rejoices in all shapes!

I am a local artist who creates in many mediums however my focus is in watercolors and collage. I do commission work and am honored to paint a portrait of someone’s home or family. I sell my original art and giclee’s through my booth at the Fayetteville Farmers Market, social media and word of mouth. I also am grateful to teach classes in my local community, year round. It thrills me to be able to pass on the joy behind the paintbrush to those who participate in my classes.

My creative work flows out of what excites, thrills and captures me. I am visually stimulated. The presentation of dancing light, interesting shadows, intriguing compositions, and contrasting elements stir the creative energy in me. This creative energy happens to me behind my camera lens, while cooking a meal, wrapping a package, beautifying my home and yard and of course in my hands with art materials of all kinds.

As a woman I am more intuitive and spontaneous than men. My memories are more connected to relationships and emotions, rather than activities. Women have four times as many brain cells (neurons) connecting the right and left side of their brain. Women have more efficient access to both sides of their brain and therefore greater use of their right brain. Women can focus on more than one problem at one time and frequently prefer to solve problems through multiple activities at a time. All of these things direct my creative thinking, how I see the world, interact with it, problem solve and ultimately form my ideas and decisions. Through this womanly influence and how God uniquely made me impacts my creative vision. The way I interpret Gods beautiful canvas that is all around me is through this womanly lens. His stunning display in nature with endless, ever-changing colors, show stopping landscapes, awe-inspiring trees, breathtaking bodies of water and the imaginativeness in His people inspires me through my female filters. To see more of my art in this series, go here.

I am excited to share this opportunity to show some of my newest watercolors. The Bank of Fayetteville on the downtown square in Fayetteville, Ar. Has invited me to show six pieces of my art for the month of April.

I will introduce them here to you. If you have a chance to see them in person, I’d love for you to stop into The Bank of Fayetteville during the month of April. Their hours are,…Monday- Friday 8:00 – 5:00

here is the map of their location

Now for the introduction to my newest watercolors.

Invincible Summer

“In the depth of winter I finally learned there was in me invincible summer.”

“What colors do you use?” This was a question I was asked in my class this week and is a question often asked to artists. I too love to know what colors/brands other artists use in their palettes and why.

I will answer from my experience. This is what I know thus far, I still have much to learn about paints and colors. My current palette is not necessarily the “right” way to set up your palette. It is a personal preference and I encourage you to try out different colors and brands to find what excites you.

What brand? Any professional grade paint is a good choice. Here is a list of some brands of professional grade watercolors. For greater depth in the differences between them, read this.

Holbein

M Graham

Windsor and Newton

Daniel Smith

Grumbacher

Sennelier

Not all colors look the same in different brands. You may find you prefer ultra marine blue in the Windsor and Newton brand as opposed to M Graham brand. While your favorite lemon yellow may be in the Holbein line of paints. My palette is mostly Windsor and Newton. I have not tried all the brands, I have landed on Windsor and Newton, especially their burnt sienna and have stayed pretty brand loyal to them. However I plan to experiment with more brands to discover the differences between them for myself.

A good color plan to recreate in your palette is to have a warm and a cool in each of the primary colors. A note about warm and cool colors. Not all yellows are warm and not all blues are cool. As with all colors there is a warm version and a cool version. Even in blacks you can have a warm black and a cool black. I encourage you to do some research on this and make a color journal with your paints. Make notes about the brand, color, temperature, transparency, staining etc. Mix different combinations and log the colors and the actual paint swatches in your journal (use a watercolor paper journal).

Warm color appears to move forward while cooler colors recede into the background. That’s why when painting a landscape it translates reality to use warm colors in the foreground then move to cooler colors and lighter values (meaning more water) in the background. If a subject is mostly warm, use a cool shadow, if your subject is mostly cool then use a warm shadow. If you want the most brilliant color results you need to mix cool colors with cool colors and warm colors with warm colors. Keep in mind there are areas in your painting where you may not want it to be the most brilliant.

For more details about colors/paint descriptions from Keene Wilson go here,… a great reference on color for certain subjects, transparency, staining etc…

This is my current palette. It does get tweaked every now and then however I will list my colors in order of preference.

Quinn Gold

Burnt Sienna

Ultramarine Blue

Sap Green or Hookers Green

Opera Rose

Alizerin Crimson

Indian Yellow

Transparent yellow – Aureolin – Lemon yellow

Indigo

Cadmium Red

Raw Sienna

Green Gold

Windsor Blue

Prussian Blue

Cobolt Blue

Cobolt Turquoise

Phthalo Blue

Raw Umber

Burnt Umber

I like to label my palette with the color information on medical tape (can handle getting wet). The tape can be easily removed if and when I change colors in the well. Some colors I have not put all the information about temperature, transparency or brand as I have either run out of room or I have not found out yet.

I would love to hear about what you have learned in your own journey with watercolor paints.

This week in my classes that I am teaching at The Art Location we are focusing on value. I admit I am still a student of value myself. So this lesson is for me and those in my class. The virtual instructor gives us a good definition here:

value can also be a part of describing atmosphere in a landscape or any painting that has shapes or subjects behind a main subject. The “Helpful Art Teacher” Has described it very well here:

Now an interesting twist in watercolors is that you do not typically use white or black to lighten or darken a color. Not using black or white watercolor paint is to be a “purest” watercolorist. To increase the colors to a high key value you just add more water and less pigment. See the note in this link about white paint in watercolors and how it changes the transparency.

This is exciting to me not because I am a sorority girl but because I have painted this house in watercolors as part of my “local places” series. I have actually painted several houses from the University of Arkansas campus. College days are a special time where lifelong memories are made. For these sorority girls, a painting of the house commemorates their devotion to their sorority. It isn’t just the exterior of the house that gleams joy, it is the recall of sisterly friendships, service, and hard work remembered from seeing a displayed painting of it. The original watercolor has sold, however prints of this house are available. Contact me to order.

Here is a peek at the highlight in the magazine of Kappa Kappa Gamma. What a gorgeous staircase right? Commissions can be ordered of your own sorority house, home, vacation spot, entryway to grandma’s house,…the opportunities are endless. Here are some other commissions I have done. My most recent commission can be seen here.

To view my other watercolor sorority houses check out my album on my facebook page

This is my 18 year old son, Trent who just went off to college. He gets his good looks from his Dad, isn’t he handsome? This portrait process was taught this summer in my classes at The Art Location where I teach watercolors and collage.
I want to share this process with you and show some examples of this lesson that I first found here.

This is the photo I chose to edit in pic monkey. I chose 3 colors in the posterize filter.

Something we have added to this group is a book club. Our most recent book we have completed is “Walking On Water” by Madeleine L’Engle. Here are some of my thoughts and take aways from this book.

I really appreciated that in our book club we had visual artists, writers and actors. This book addressed all three types of artists as well. Her examples were rich and helpful to me as an artist, and christian.

This book has some deep thoughts and comparisons in it that we all struggled to understand, however I appreciated the challenge. Her overview on what is an artist and what is a christian artist was touched on throughout the book.

From page 217 “…I must have more faith in the work than I have in myself” Just as in our christian walk, we have to have more faith in God’s plan, His divine timing, His ever presence, even when in our humanness we are not seeing Him work.

“It is a frightening thing for many people to let go, to have faith in that which they cannot completely know and control.” this is totally relatable in the creative process and our faith in God. I love the parallel.

Another take away from her book is the reminder of hard work. That any artist who is producing good work is putting in the hours. That showing up to create whether you feel like it or not. She states, inspiration comes after you get started and during the process, not before.

pg. 224 “As with all my books, Starfish was more rewritten than written, and with each subsequent book the need to rewrite becomes more rather than less.”

pg.232, 233 “Alleluia! We don’t have to be right! We do have to love, to be vulnerable, to accept joy and pain, and grow through them.” As she gave examples of growing through affliction with Milton who went blind, however writing, Paradise Lost. And Beethoven went deaf, then wrote the Ninth Symphony. “Sometimes the very impetus of overcoming obstacles results in a surge of creativity. it is in our responses that we are given the gift of helping God write our story.”

Madeleine also made note of the importance of our gifts no matter the size. pg. 237 “The important thing is to recognize that our gift, no matter what the size, is indeed something given us, for which we can take no credit, but which may humbly serve, and in serving, we learn more wholeness, be offered wondrous newness.”

“We all feed the lake. That is what is important. It is a corporate act.” We are part of the body, big parts and small parts, each important to the whole. This encouragement from pg. 16; “If the work comes to the artist and says, ‘Here I am, serve me’, then the job of the artist, great or small, is to serve. The amount of the artist’s talent is not what it is about. Jean Rys said to an interviewer in the Paris Review, ‘Listen to me. All of writing is a huge lake. There are great rivers that feed the lake, like Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. And there are mere trickles, like Jean Rhys. All that matters is feeding the lake. I don’t matter. The lake matters. You must keep feeding the lake.”

I really appreciate her reminder encouraging us to listen to the silence. To be. In our work and in our prayers and in our days.

pg. 17 “Before I can listen to God in prayer, I must fumble through the prayers of words, of willful demands, the prayers of childish ‘Gimmes,’ of ‘Help mes’, of ‘I want…’ Until I tell God what I want, I have no way of knowing whether or not I truly want it. Unless I ask God for something, I do not know whether or not it is something for which I ought to ask, and I cannot add, ‘But if this is not your will for me, then your will is what i want, not mine.’ The prayers of words cannot be eliminated. And I must pray them daily, whether I feel like praying or not. Otherwise, when God has something to say to me, I will not know how to listen. Until I have worked through self, I will not be enabled to get out of the way.”

I really like her explanation of being a witness…pg. 26 “To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery. It means to live in such a way that one’s life would not make sense if God did not exist.” Don’t you just love that?!?!?

And to “be truly Christian means to see Christ everywhere, to know him all in all…I don’t want to tell God (or my friends) where he can and cannot be seen. The rest of page 28 and 29 are so good.

I could go on and on, however I would encourage any of you to read the book. It is a true treasure to me. I have made notes all through this book and hope to go back to it often.

It has been a gift to go through this book with other creatives, sharing our own responses, our hearts and individual creative journeys .

A fantastic returning client contacted me about painting a watercolor montage for her to give as a gift. The location is a horse ranch where weddings are held in Prairie Grove, Ar. I went out to take several pictures.

I used this example from a google search as a map/plan to create mine for my client.

Then using the photos I took and the proportional sizing the client wanted (12″ x 24″) I put together a few mock set ups for the client to choose a draft for me to follow. Here is what I sent her after she chose which photos to use as references.

she chose the one on the left and here is the final result:

Her daughter was recently married at this location and my client has gifted this watercolor to the owners of the ranch.

Or in my case,…Know Your Artist, Know your Art. The Fayetteville Farmers Market, http://www.fayettevillefarmersmarket.org/ teamed up with photographer, Joshua Duke http://www.oneblacklab.com/ The Fayetteville Underground with http://new.fayettevilleunderground.com/ and Saatchi and Saatchi x http://saatchix.com/sd-us/ for this fantastic gallery of photos that will hang at The Fayetteville Underground through the month of August. See details below

My Dad as a hobby farmer, has been a part of the market for 10 years. Me, as an artist for 7 years. We both were in the photo gallery. The market members make up such a caring, hard working and generous team. I am grateful to be a part of them.

Here is a peek into the gallery hanging. Check it out in person before it comes down at the end of August.

I love to read for entertainment and to learn. I also love to be moved and inspired by wonderful movies. I just wanted to share these titles of recent discovery that have knocked my socks off. I hope they will for you too! If you so indulge, I’d love to hear your responses from reading or watching them.

A Unique original collage of mine recently sold. I wanted to share about it here.

This original collage “Having Vision” is full of things that are very important to me. I used acrylic paint, my own photography, paper, and stamps.

The front doorway of the house is a print of an original water color I did of my friends front door. This painting is pivotal as it is what launched me into my art business about 7 years ago. When I gave it to her as a gift ,others saw it and strongly encouraged me to paint commissions like this for others as a business. So the “sight” quote from Helen Keller is about me having the vision to explore an art business, take a chance. The photo of daisies by the walkway is a photo of mine of my moms favorite flower. My mom has always supported my artistic gifts. The house represents “coming home to who you were meant to be and launching from home to share it with others”. The mixture of different textures and elements celebrates color, creativity and new ideas. The eye in the window ties in the quote as well of “having vision” to step out of the comforts of home, in faith to take the chance.

Improve your health? How the arts benefit you.
read this article.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-s-noelker-phd/how-the-arts-can-improve-_b_3423249.html
(just copy and paste the link into your browser) If you are not already signed up for some art classes this spring I encourage you for your health to do it! If not with me, with someone. You will be glad you did. Current subject for the next two weeks in my watercolor classes is homes and gardens. Join us. Call 479.443.4583. Also check out my next two saturday workshops that are scheduled. bethwoessner.com/classes

The final two weeks of our collage class was on the theme of portraits. We were stretched and challenged. However very fun! Lucinda in our class found an app called waterlogue that takes a photo and turns it into a “watercolor”. This app turned out to be a great platform or map to create a collage from. Read on to see the different processes we all applied. All of us used some kind of photo and traced the portrait onto the canvas. As more pieces (ripped magazine images and other papers, book pages, rice paper, tissue paper, etc) were collaged onto the canvas it needed to be retraced as our lines would get covered up. Using an emery/cuticle stick with the pointed end as a tracing “pen” kept our original image from getting too marked up from the repeated tracing. Glue used was either a glue stick or modge podge.

This is an example of what the app “waterlogue” creates from her photo. This became her map.

Now you can see her work in progress…

This is Joyce’s “map” and her work in progress…

now her collage in progress…she used watercolor paint to shadow and color the skin.

This is my collage in its stages to completion. Using one of my favorite photos of my mom and I. First the reference photo…

It doesn’t have to be complicated, intricate or perfect. The six weeks will begin March 1st. So we have some time (sord of) to spread the news in email invitations to our customers and fellow artistic friends.

“The important thing is to do, and nothing else; be what it may.” -Pablo Picasso

This is a six week challenge for anyone (adults, & students alike) interested in working at their craft. With a daily commitment of a “painting a day”, or sketch, or drawing, or photography, graphic design, pottery, mosaics, collage, zendoodle, calligraphy…any medium of your choice. The more we practice the better we will get. This facebook community of sharing our daily art can inspire each other and hold each other accountable to an honest habitual practice in our art. No pressure for performance or perfection, just jump in and play. No judgement. This six week everyday commitment will put us in the habit of artistic study.

using a color palette from my client that she provided and the subjects of a pear, apple, sunflower and hydrangea. Watercolor on 140# cold press arches paper. The added gestural, sketchy pen work is one of favorite looks as well. Then mounting the originals onto a 12×12 cradled wooden canvas. I love the close up compositions. Final application is 2 coats of wax to protect and seal the art.

I looked for a way to keep my hands busy instead of in and out of a chip bag, I decided to work on some collage notecards. Also with the intention of these being sketches for future canvas collages. I used cut up magazines, textured papers and photos.

3 golden apples, titled “the sweet path in my golden years” tasting all the blessings along the way…this is the newest addition to my series. 16″ x 16″ $175. You can find more images from this series under “my art” tab on my website.

Hey collage artists from our thursday morning class. The boxes are in! I’ll be bringing them to class on thursday. Twelve boxes each. Six in each size. Costing each of us $9.00 total.

This is the idea, however use them however you see fit to organize your art and supplies. Keeping collage projects in pizza boxes. I ordered two bundles of plain pizza boxes from Uline. One set in 12 x 12 and the other 16 x 16. As we cut up and collect pieces and ideas, the box is a perfect storage container. Put your compostitions examples, papers, stamps, texture, photos, and scraps that all pertain to a particular collage in progress in a box, with or without the canvas. As you come and go to this collage you can keep it all together in one box and stack the light weight boxes on a shelf. I am so excited by this orderly idea.

Here is a link to Uline where I ordered. Price break down is less than a dollar per box. The boxes arrived in two days. https://www.google.com/search?q=uline+pizza+boxes&oq=uline+pizza+boxes&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i60.4789j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=91&ie=UTF-8#q=uline+pizza+boxes&tbm=shop&spd=13084734370275472051

As abstracts are the theme around the corner in my current watercolor class. I want to share some inspiration. This artist, Patricia Lappin has some beautiful work. I recommend checking out her website. http://patricialappin.com Read her “about the artist” page. A quote from her website.

“I am still experimenting, doing small studies of an idea in several color schemes before deciding on the palette for the larger studio work.

Still learning, still curious, still growing in my art, I have moved from realism to abstracts to a more impressionistic style. Hope you enjoy it all.” Here are some examples of her abstract work.

In the theme of our collage class of “food and drink” Here is my example. My inspiration behind this collage is my special coffee mug. It’s a “just because” gift from my daughter Brooke. She thought it looked like me.

So here is the photo I took of it, I really like the surroundings of The Art Location Studio and the paint splashed table and my lipstick on the rim of the mug, very artsy:

To make the collage I squirted a gold acrylic paint in the middle of a wooden canvas and squirts of umber around the edges. Then I spread the paint with a brush to cover the surface, while also scratching in some random strokes with the back of the paintbrush. keeping the middle golden and edges brown. After paint was dry I began placing my “pieces” to apply to the canvas in different arrangements until I liked the outcome. On the left side, I used a torn dryer sheet for some texture. I glued down the pieces with modge podge. When that was dry, I darkened the edges with a darker brown and wispy strokes. After this layer dried, I put a turquoise crayoned edge, using a ruler, around the coffee mug photo. I dotted pops of red to finish it off. When all was dry I covered the whole surface with a final coat of modge podge. And “ta da”, a personal collage to display. I am looking forward to what the students will bring to work on this theme next week.

My father in law had just sent me this book a few weeks ago. Then today I notice Crystal Bridges is hosting a series about journaling, using this book and the museum. I just signed up for this series at Crystal Bridges. I couldn’t be more pleased. Did I mention it is FREE! Check it out:

Journaling Group: Rejuvenate with Art through Writing

Monday, February 10, 2014

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM (CT)

Library

Event Type

Program – Adult

Department

CBMAA – Education – Adult Programs

Inspired by Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way, join Museum Educator, Sara Segerlin, in absorbing artworks through creative writing. This journaling session will explore a selection of artworks from the temporary exhibition At First Sight: Collecting the American Watercolor, followed by lessons fromThe Artist’s Way, and journaling techniques to open up creative language. Participants learn to share and express their writing with final readings afterwards.

I use different size and shape natural sea sponges to recreate foliage in my paintings. Dipping the sponge in the paint and “stamping” the sponge onto the paper in a random pattern really depicts leaves well. I like using different shades of green to give the trees depth. Wildflowers and cherry blossoms are also a subject to represent with natural sea sponges. Here is a link to a youtube video giving an example. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzFQZQqL7dw

Julia Cameron of The Artists Way recommends that people write non-stop on anything that comes to mind, whether it makes logical sense or not, every morning for 15 minutes, as a way to create mental and emotional space. She proposes this makes way for new insights and ideas to come through. She also suggests this tool as a way of beginning one’s day fresh, present, and open to inspiration and new solutions to persistent problems.

Do any of you journal? How often? Any tips you have learned? Has it helped in your creative process?

Building on the theme of last week and this week on “words” for our collage class. Here is a personal piece I created. I was first inspired by a visit to the eye doctor. You just never know when or where or what will catch your eye and spark the creative juices. Behind the receptionist is a wall with a composition that screamed to be repeated on my next collage platform.

Here is the wall:

oh and that is my purse in the picture too 🙂

So I recreated this look onto a 12 x 12 wooden cradled canvas. My original plan for words was to use a variety of letters from rubber stamps, stencils, and magazines to spell out a Rumi, mother Theresa or Helen Keller quote, some of my FAVORITE quotes come from these souls of wisdom. However as I went through several days of creating the background a new idea hit me. I saw my moms handwritten words on a note that has been plastered on my fridge for a few months. My moms friend had saved this letter that was sent to her from my mom over 30 years ago. My moms friend passed the note to me recently. (Thank you Sandy for saving this and passing it on to me!) When I look at my moms cursive, it is like seeing her. The connection I feel to my mom by looking at her handwriting is very strong. On this pass through the kitchen I noticed how the paper that the note is on coordinates with the background I had recently finished. I knew then that these were the words to go on my “word” collage. So here it is.

side view:

I am looking forward to seeing what the others have been making with their “words”.

Anyone else have a Cricut machine? What are you using it for? art.by.beth business bought one recently and is playing around with ideas. A few ideas and uses so far are cutting up photos into letters and making notecards out of them. Cutting out quotes to use on “word collages” (this weeks continued theme in our collage class) I haven’t seemed to have figured out how to cut cardstock as well as photos or how to cut several at ne time. I need a cricut tutor to come over.

One of my art instructors turned me onto the twice weekly art blog. It is an active art community. It is very helpful and supportive as I look to others and how they do their art. This is the sight: http://painterskeys.com/ Maybe it will inspire you as well.

I did not realize until today that the sight has its own quotes and even specifically water color quotes. I really liked this one

“Watercolor is a swim in the metaphysics of life… a mirror of one’s own character. Let it be unpredictable and colorful”. (Anonymous)

I learned about this business, Task Rabbit from an NPR podscast (I know, I love that show) https://www.taskrabbit.com/. It was created by a software engineer and seems like such a smart idea. Not available in our area,…but would love for it to come to our area. I can see it as a resource for so many. Listen to their story on NPR. http://www.npr.org/2013/12/06/248796554/leah-busque-founder-of-taskrabbit. Would love to hear what you think after you listen.

Today Northwest Arkansas Times profiled the artist, Scott Carroll. This is one of my top favorite sections of the newspaper. I love the stories of peoples lives and the paths they take and where they end up. If you get a chance, read his story. Here is a quote from him that I think is a great tip.

Beverly and I went to The Crystal Bridges Stielglitz and O Keefe exhibit. Interesting lives they led separately and together. Found this interesting article from NPR. http://www.npr.org/2011/07/21/138467808/stieglitz-and-okeeffe-their-love-and-life-in-letters

Here are my favorites from the exhibit at Crystal Bridges…

Crystal Bridges was our main course and for dessert we went to 21C hotel art museum. I so love the “out of the box” art.

“Inspirational Quotes for 2014” It fell on fresh soil as seeds of inspiration for the upcoming collage theme for my classes beginning next week. Our theme is “words/letters” created into collage. Possibiilities are endless. I could do a whole 8 weeks just on this theme. However in our course this winter it is only two weeks, then we move onto..

So excited to read the article in todays newspaper about the Water Color Exhibit coming to Crystal Bridges on January 18th. According to the article, watercolors is Alice Walton’s favorite medium. She used to paint with them with her mother and the challenge gave her a loyal respect and admiration for art created in this medium. So much more in the article. I recommend reading it.

A favorite quote or verse can be just the inspiration for your next collage. I have so many quotes and verses that resonate with me. One that I always go back to is: “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival.” by C.S. Lewis What is your favorite quote or verse?
The next two weeks in class at The Art Location we are working on “words” as our theme. Starts tomorrow! Not too late to join in. Call 443.4583

We are so very excited about all of the upcoming events and the opportunities the New Year brings! This may be the most important year in your life-the one in which you took the leap, told fear to” take a hike!” and began your creative journey! We all have something unique to express, isn’t it time to let your voice be heard? We, at Studio 7, hope that 2014 is your year and it brings you all that your heart desires.

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JANUARY ADULT CLASSES

Adult painting classes provide a safe space with instruction to explore your own painting. Media includes: oil, pastel, acrylic, drawing media, collage, encaustic, etc. You can bring your own ideas or be guided by instructors. Perfect for all levels from the absolute beginner looking for a place to start, to the professional looking for feedback and inspiration, and all levels in between.

Package deals:

Tim Tyler rates: $100 per month or $30 per session

Rates for all other instructors: $80 for 4 (3 hour) sessions or $25 per session

Monday 9-12 Beth Woessner Watercolor

Tuesday 9-12 Tania Knudsen All media

Tuesday 6-9pm Judi Harrison All media

Wednesday 9-12 Tania Knudsen All media

Wednesday 12-3 Tania Knudsen Drawing

Thursday 9-12 Tim Tyler Oil

FIGURE DRAWING

Join us Monday night, January 20th 6-9pm for figure drawing. We will be working from the model primarily using charcoal. All skill levels welcome. $25

A thank you to Angie for supporting local art with my art.by.beth notecards. Her recent stop to pick up about 12 cards for her to send through out the year was a gift to me and to her. To say thanks to those who give an extra hand or someone to send words of encouragement to has many benefits. Hand written notes are such a win win. It is psychologically very beneficial to the sender, http://positivepsychologynews.com/news/aren-cohen/200812121313, it screams you care to the receiver and when sent on local artist cards you support your local arts. A triple win. I hope you and I both remember to say thanks more in 2014. Oh and let me know if you want some art.by.beth notecards to send them on. (wink)

My Watercolor of the Dickson Street Bookshop. From my local art series.

In todays paper, a profile on our Dickson St. old and used books, bookstore. Something to be valued in a business that has been a mainstay for so long even in this growing digital commerce. I hear from so many who purchase my watercolor print of the bookstore of how much this bookstore has meant to them. I am happy to have a way for people to honor their memories with this watercolor painting to hang in their own home or office.

This morning I listened to the podcast NPR “From Scratch”. Love this program. From Scratch reviews the entrepreneurial life with leading pioneers from the business world, the social sector, entertainment, and the arts. From Scratch personalizes the lives of entrepreneurs by providing listeners with a candid, first-hand view of the launching process. Visit this podcast’s Web site. Their story. Today I listened to the interview of the illustrator/author, Ian Falconer who created the children’s books about Olivia. He described how this character is based on his niece, “Olivia” and his process of erasing over and over the face emotion in his pig to get it just right and how he uses charcoal and face makeup tools to create his soft shading. I love learning from others and their personal journeys in life and art.

Our first two weeks in watercolor class will be paintings of a chair(s). Haven’t you admired the message or feeling evoked from looking at a chair? Either the familiarity of a family favorite chair, the invitation of a comfy chair lit up by a warm reading lamp, the relaxed feeling of seeing an adirondack begging you to sit in from a front porch, or…what other ideas for a watercolor “chair” paintings? Maybe a chair style that takes you back to a particular era or decade??? Join us this week and next for creating your own compositions. Bring your ideas and references. Don’t bring in the whole chair, just a photo of it will do. See you soon, friends! Many art locations and times to choose from. Check out the details on my classes link on my website.

Fall classes coming to an end with our finishing technique on negative painting. We have spent two weeks on this skill. Negative painting is such an intriguing and beautiful approach it would lend itself to an entire 8 week course. The artist we were following is Linda Kemp. I have a link to her work on my facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/artist.beth

These cows remind me of the heat of summer. The blazing sun just kind of zaps my energy. With the heat index today, it is 107 degrees. Colors used in a painting can definitely elude to seasons, times of day, weather, and even the mood of the artist. This is an example of a triad palette and represents how I feel today, lazy.